Packaging for electrical extension cord

ABSTRACT

Packaging for a coiled electrical extension cord having a body portion with a plurality of side walls, end walls extending from the side walls, a bottom wall extending between the side walls along an edge thereof and a top wall extending from each side wall along an opposite edge wherein the top walls and side walls have tabs and mating slots for securing the packaging together and the top walls form an opening along a top surface of the packaging at opposite ends thereof allowing the electrical extension cord to extend out of the packaging.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/713,690, filed on Sep. 2, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers, and more particularly to packaging for an electrical extension cord adapted for shipping and display of the extension cord.

Packaging and display of retail electrical extension cords has long been a problem. Previous methods of packaging for retail include simple bands surrounding the center of a coiled extension cord. Such bands hold the coiled cord together and provide a convenient surface for identifying the source of the goods, the price or promotional materials. The plug and socket at the ends of the cords may either be joined or are allowed to extend out of the band, thus permitting the plugs and sockets to become entangled in the loops, or coils, of other extension cords, making the cords difficult to separate. In addition, the loops of the extension often escape from the band during handling, causing further snagging or even separation from the band. Another drawback of bands around the center of the coiled cord is that the bands do not provide an adequate surface in which to stack the packaged cords for display. The packaged cords can become entangled or disorganized on retail shelves. Other alternatives include more expensive packaging methods such as plastic containers or shrink wrapping. Such plastic containers or shrink wrapping, however, require extensive packaging machinery in order to prepare the cords for retail.

Consequently, a need exists for a new electrical extension cord packaging design which addresses the problems of prior packaging concepts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the problems associated with prior electrical extension cord packaging by providing an inexpensive packaging which is a rectangular shaped box which receives the coiled cord and allows the extension cord to be stacked or hung for display. The packaging folds around the cord in a way that half of the cord is encased and the other half of the cord is exposed to serve as a handle for carrying, or a surface to hang the product on a display wall. The box structure surrounds the ends of the coiled cord thereby preventing the cord from being entangled with adjacent products.

The packaging has tabs and cut slots for the tabs to be inserted on the top surface and the end surfaces of the packaging to close the packaging. Therefore no additional adhesives or fasteners are needed to maintain the packaging around the extension cord. The packaging also allows the extension cord to be packaged so that the cord can be carried wherein the cord itself serves as a handle for the packaged product. Depending upon the size of the extension cord, the packaging is square in cross-section or it can be rectangular for longer sized cords.

These and other features of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawings and the description herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the packaging for an electrical extension cord of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a dieline view of the packaging of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, packaging 10 of the present invention is illustrated for a coiled electrical extension cord 12. The packaging 10 of the present invention is typically a corrugated cardboard die cut design folded around the coiled extension cord 12 to form a box-like base. Typically the packaging is folded into a rectangular configuration around a portion of the coiled extension cord with the cord extending through cut out portions 14 in the upper corners of the packaging.

The packaging has a bottom panel 16, two vertical side panels 18 and 19, an inside top panel 20 and an outside top panel 22. Outside top panel 22 has a tab 24 which when folded over the inside top panel 20 is inserted into a slot 26 extending through the juncture between the inside top panel 20 and side wall 19. Side wall 19 includes end panels 26 located on opposite ends of the side panel. Slots 28 are formed along the juncture between end panels 26 and side wall 19. Side wall 18 has end panels 30 each having a tab 32 which is inserted into slots 28 when end panel 30 is folded over end panels 26. Panels 26 and 30 form the ends of the packaging.

Reinforcement tabs 34 are positioned in each corner of the packaging so that when the box is folded the tabs can be folded over into the cavity 36 to provide extra side wall support for the coiled extension cord 12. The packaging 10 includes perforation lines 38 at the juncture of all the panels to facilitate folding of the packaging. The packaging 10 serves as a base for stacking the packaged extension cord so that the cord can be stacked on shelving for display or hung on rods extending from a wall. The packaging 10 also allows the extension cord to be packaged so that the cord can be carried wherein the cord serves as a handle for the packaged cord. A hook and loop strap 40 can be placed around the top coiled surface of the cord to further ensure the cord does not separate within the packaging. Other types of straps, such as wire straps, can also be used.

Although the present invention as been described with respect to corrugated cardboard, it is to understood that other types of materials can be used for the packaging such as thin gauge plastic that can be folded into the desired configuration.

Although the present invention as been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is to understood that changes and modifications can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. In combination, a coiled electrical extension cord and packaging therefor, said packaging comprising a body portion having a plurality of side walls, end walls extending from the side walls, a bottom wall extending between the side walls along an edge thereof, and a top wall extending from each side wall along an opposite edge, wherein the top walls and side walls having tabs and mating slots for securing the packaging together, and wherein the top walls form an opening along a top surface of the packaging at opposite ends thereof allowing the coiled electrical extension to extend out of the packaging.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the packaging is corrugated cardboard.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the packaging is thin gauge plastic.
 4. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of perforated edges on the body to assist folding of the body around the coiled electrical extension cord.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the side walls have reinforcement tabs extending into a cavity of the body.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the coiled extension cord includes a strap along a top surface of the coiled extension cord.
 7. Packaging for a portion of a coiled extension cord, the packaging having a box configuration having open top corners for passage of the coiled extension cord out of the packaging.
 8. The packaging of claim 7, wherein the packaging is corrugated cardboard.
 9. The packaging of claim 7, wherein the packaging is thin gauge plastic.
 10. The packaging of claim 7, wherein there are a plurality of perforated edges along the packaging to assist in folding around the coiled extension cord.
 11. The packaging of claim 7 having a plurality of reinforcement tabs extending into a cavity of the packaging adjacent the open top corners.
 12. The packaging of claim 7 further comprising a strap for the coiled extension cord which extends out of the packaging. 